Do you know what to call someone who’s new to something or very inexperienced? You can learn an English expression for that person.
Jiaying
Welcome to The English We Speak with me, Jiaying…
Roy
… and me, Roy. I can’t believe you beat me at that video game!
Jiaying
Well, you made some simple mistakes! It’s understandable that I won – I’m a pro and you’re a noob!
Roy
A what? Anubis? Did you just call me an Egyptian god?!
Jiaying
Not Anubis, Roy – I called you a noob – as in someone very new to something and inexperienced.
Roy
But I’m not a noob – I’ve been playing it for years – it’s my favourite game!
Jiaying
Oh – then you’re just really bad at it! You need some more practice!
Roy
Maybe we could play again – I have no idea how you found the dragon so early. You didn’t watch a gamer’s tips and tricks video, did you?
Jiaying
Well, maybe just one video – it’s good to research what you’re going to play. Let’s have another game while we listen to these examples.
Examples
He ended up sending out the wrong information to the clients. He’s such a noob.
I can’t believe I called her the wrong name! I’m such a noob.
Four years ago, I made a film. It was terrible – I was such a noob! So, I studied how to make films at university.
Jiaying
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about the expression ‘noob’. If someone is a ‘noob’, they are inexperienced or new to something. You can also use the expression ‘newbie’. I can’t believe you beat me at that game second time round!
Roy
Well, like I said – I wasn’t a newbie – I’ve been playing it for years. I went easy on you first time because I thought you were a noob!
Jiaying
OK. But while the word ‘noob’ is common in gaming, we can use it in other places too, right?
Roy
Yes, for example your first day at work. Do you remember when I started?
Jiaying
You were such a noob! You forgot everyone’s names and got lost in the building!
Roy
Yes – I was a bit of a disaster.
Jiaying
That’s OK – you didn’t know what you were doing.
Roy
So, do you want to play another game?
Jiaying
No thanks – I prefer playing against newbies so I can win. Bye, Roy.
Roy
Bye.
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